Recent polling numbers are showing a decreasing trend in the desire of Albertans to separate from Canada. An Ipsos poll conducted in the beginning of June showed that 72% of Albertans want to stay in Canada, while only 19% want to separate. There have been a number of polls conducted by various organizations with the numbers being quite similar to that of the Ipsos polling.
This decrease in the desire to separate can be attributed to a number of reasons. There’s more information coming out as to what would happen if Alberta were to separate. An analysis commissioned by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce shows that Alberta GDP would shrink by 6%, 175,000 jobs would be lost and the economy would shrink by $62 billion annually. Danielle Smith herself has said that Alberta would incur startup costs of $400 billion if it were to separate
Thomas Lucaszuk, leading voice of the forever Canadian campaign, has been touring throughout Alberta with his unity bus, conducting town halls and handing out forever Canadian lawn signs.
Just going through my neighbourhood I am noticing an increase in Canadian flags being hung up at residences. We are approaching July 1, but there’s a noticeable increase even compared to past July 1 as to the number of Canadian flags being hung up
The October 19 referendum to have a referendum is still four months away. But there’s a definite trend away from separation. There is one concern though. The vitriol by the separatists on social media is increasing as they see their separation dream slipping away. Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail. Time will tell.
That’s all I have for today.